Mike Farrell Quotes

Many people think that discipline is the essence of parenting. But that isn't parenting. Parenting is not telling your child what to do when he or she misbehaves. Parenting is providing the conditions in which a child can realize his or her full human potential.

I think children learn from example. I don't believe in raising them in an authoritative atmosphere.

Indeed - judicious, consistent parenting is a dream of mine. No judgements, learning space and listening carefully are my goals.

I am always suspicious of those who impose 'rules' on child rearing. Every child is different in terms of temperament and learning, and every parent responds to a particular child, not some generalized infant or youngster.

For decades, parents were told by so-called parenting 'experts' that offspring would be best raised on the belief each is special and entitled to all life has to offer.

I think that good parenting should allow children to be children. That naivety and slightly open way of looking at the world is very valuable.

I am a father who never pushes or forces his children into anything.

Children don’t need beating. They need love and encouragement. They need fathers to whom they can look with respect rather than fear. Above all, they need example.

Affection can no more spoil a child than the sun could be put out by a bucket of gasoline.

I think that old school style of 'I'm your parent and I'm greater than you' doesn't work. What I establish with my children is a partnership.

Children can be disciplined with love.

Every word, facial expression, gesture, or action on the part of a parent gives the child some message about self-worth. It is sad that so many parents don't realize what messages they are sending.

True parents do not see to it that their children grow in a particular way, according to a preferred pattern or scripted stages, but they see to it that they grow with their children.

One of the most difficult parental challenges is to appropriately discipline children. Child rearing is so individualistic. Every child is different and unique. What works with one may not work with another.

I was never taught how to raise a child, because I wasn't raised properly.

I really look at children as being little people and not necessarily things or people to control.

I think a child requires initial years of a mother's attention, which is very important, and I did it without any thought in the world. That's what I wanted to do.

Children love and want to be loved and they very much prefer the joy of accomplishment to the triumph of hateful failure. Do not mistake a child for his symptom.

I've never been a believer in the physical punishment of children. I don't think it is necessary.

Children require guidance and sympathy far more than instruction.

Modern parents want to nurture so skillfully that Mother Nature will gasp in admiration at the marvels their parenting produces from the soft clay of children.

It is impossible to treat a child too well. Children are spoiled by being ignored too much or by harshness, not by kindness.

Those children who have been most chastised seldom make the best men.

Attitudes about the rearing and education of children vary between two extremes. One, which might be labeled “authoritarian” or “coercive,” rests on an assumption that children are by nature irresponsible and lazy, and will do their schoolwork only if they are penalized for a poor performance. The opposite view might be labeled “progressive” or “democratic.” It rests on the assumption that children who are brought up with love, trust, and clear but kind leadership are eager to grow up and be like their parents, eager to explore, learn, master skills, and take on responsibility; they need guidance but not sternness or punishment.

On the average, older parents are more flexible, tolerant, understanding, and happy in child care.